Difference between revisions of "Pilot Super"

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The '''Pilot Super''' is a [[medium format]] [[SLR]] camera made by [[KW]] in Dresden, Germany, from c.1939-1941<ref>{{McKeown12}} p585.</ref>, during the period that the company was owned by Charles Noble.  It takes twelve 6×6cm exposures on [[120 film]], and can be converted to take sixteen 4.5×6 frames with an extra mask.  It is a later version of the [[Pilot 6]], using a similar chassis. Some early Pilot Supers have Pilot 6 nameplates.<ref>Listing for the [http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/KW-(KameraWerkstatten)/Pilot-6-(1938).html Pilot 6] at the [http://collectiblend.com/ Collectiblend] price guide site.</ref>
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The '''Pilot Super''' is a [[medium format]] [[SLR]] camera made by [[KW]] in Dresden, Germany, from c.1939-1941<ref>{{McKeown}} 12<sup>th</sup> ed, p.585</ref>, during the period that the company was owned by Charles Noble.  It takes twelve 6×6cm exposures on [[120 film]], and can be converted to take sixteen 4.5×6 frames with an extra mask.  It is a later version of the [[Pilot 6]], using a similar chassis.
 
  
 
The body is roughly cubic, with a bulge on the top rear edge accommodating the film take-up spool. There is a folding viewfinder hood on top, with a built-in sports finder and a [[loupe]]. The film advance knob, shutter speed control and shutter-release are all on the right-hand side. Some examples are fitted with an [[Light_meter#Extinction_Meters|extinction light meter]] on the viewing hood; there is then a table by which to interpret the meter reading, together with the depth-of-field table.
 
The body is roughly cubic, with a bulge on the top rear edge accommodating the film take-up spool. There is a folding viewfinder hood on top, with a built-in sports finder and a [[loupe]]. The film advance knob, shutter speed control and shutter-release are all on the right-hand side. Some examples are fitted with an [[Light_meter#Extinction_Meters|extinction light meter]] on the viewing hood; there is then a table by which to interpret the meter reading, together with the depth-of-field table.
  
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The shutter is a guillotine mechanism with 4 speeds, 1/20-1/200 + B. It is manually cocked by winding the speed control knob. The camera has a basic double-exposure prevention interlock, and a button to override it (above the shutter speed control). It has a socket for a cable release. There is no delayed action.
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The shutter is a guillotine mechanism, very similar to that on the [[Exa]]. It has four speeds, 1/20-1/200 + B. It is manually cocked by winding the speed control knob. The camera has a basic double-exposure prevention interlock, and a button to override it (above the shutter speed control). It has a socket for a cable release. There is no delayed action.
  
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The lens is interchangeable, with a 31 or 32 mm thread<ref>Measured as 31 mm on the example available, with a f/3.5 Ennatar. However, other owners report a 32 mm thread: e.g. here; [http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00PX8K KW Pilot Super meets the youth of the 21st century] at [http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/ Photo.net], and it is worth noting that the thread mount for the Ennatar is in da black ring screwed onto the body, and clearly visible behind the lens; this is absent in the example with a KW Anastigmat, pictured above, so it is quite possible that the mounts are different.</ref>. However, no example has been seen with other than a standard lens. Available lenses included:
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The lens is interchangeable, with a 31 or 32 mm thread<ref>Measured as 31 mm on the example available, with a f/3.5 Ennatar. However, other owners report a 32 mm thread: e.g. here; [http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00PX8K KW Pilot Super meets the youth of the 21st century] at [http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/ Photo.net], and it is worth noting that the thread mount for the Ennatar is in a black ring screwed onto the body, and clearly visible behind the lens; this is absent in the example with a KW Anastigmat, pictured here, so it is quite possible that the mounts are different.</ref>. Available standard lenses included:
 
* [[Enna]] Ennatar 1:4.5 or 1:3.5, F=7.5 cm
 
* [[Enna]] Ennatar 1:4.5 or 1:3.5, F=7.5 cm
 
* KW Anastigmat 1:2.9, 1:3.5 or 1:4.5, F=7.5 cm
 
* KW Anastigmat 1:2.9, 1:3.5 or 1:4.5, F=7.5 cm
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* [[Ludwig]] Pilotar 1:2.9 F=7.5 cm
 
* [[Ludwig]] Pilotar 1:2.9 F=7.5 cm
  
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All of these are simple, uncoated triplet lenses. It is possible, given the years of production, that Wartime supply restrictions prevented a higher-specification standard lens being offered. Focusing is by screwing the front element in and out (and must be so, since the camera's body is rigid). In both of the examples pictured, the focus scale is in feet.
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All of these are simple, uncoated triplet lenses. It is possible, given the years of production, that Wartime supply restrictions prevented a higher-specification lens being offered. Focusing is by screwing the front element in and out (and must be so, since the camera's body is rigid). In both of the examples pictured, the focus scale is in feet: as shown in the advertisement, the Pilot Super was exported to the USA. Germany and the UK were at war throughout the period that the camera was made.
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The advertisement below right mentions a long-focus lens. This is rare; the only example known is a 10.5 cm f/4.5 KW Anastigmat.<ref>[http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00ZEko Post on photo.net] showing the only example known of the long-focus lens.</ref>
  
 
The focusing screen does not have a [[Fresnel lens |fresnel screen]], and is rather dark, especially since the aperture control is manual (so final framing of hand-held photographs must be done after stopping down). The [[loupe]] is mounted in a plate which completely covers the focus hood when erected, which helps somewhat.
 
The focusing screen does not have a [[Fresnel lens |fresnel screen]], and is rather dark, especially since the aperture control is manual (so final framing of hand-held photographs must be done after stopping down). The [[loupe]] is mounted in a plate which completely covers the focus hood when erected, which helps somewhat.
  
 
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5533465431_0db96f3355.jpg
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|image_text= Advertisement from Popular<br/>Photography, June 1940
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|image_rights= Public domain US no copyright
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/3188727821/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/3188727821/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/3188727821_f054af5498_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/3188727821_f054af5498_m.jpg
 
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Pilot Super with open finder hood
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|image_text= Pilot Super with open<br/>finder hood
 
|image_by= Rick Soloway
 
|image_by= Rick Soloway
 
|image_rights= With permission
 
|image_rights= With permission
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/century_graphic/4436129521/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
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|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2703/4436129521_20656419d8_m.jpg
 
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|image2_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/century_graphic/4436129523/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
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|image_text= Rear view, showing [[red window]] cover
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|image_text= <br/><br/><br/>Back: [[red window]]s' cover. Top view: VF hood with [[loupe]] and [[Light_meter#Extinction_Meters|extinction meter]]. Side: shutter controls.
 
|image_by= Dustin McAmera
 
|image_by= Dustin McAmera
 
|image_rights= With permission
 
|image_rights= With permission
 
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4436129523_8b24e8f51e_m.jpg
 
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|image_text= Top view: [[loupe]] and [[Light_meter#Extinction_Meters|extinction meter]]
 
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==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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* [http://www.retrography.com/kw.htm KW cameras] at [http://www.retrography.com Simon Simonsen's retrography.com] includes the Pilot 6
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/pilot_super/pilot_super.htm Pilot Super user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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* (In German) [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/firmengeschichte/firmen/body_firmen.html#KW KW history] at [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/ Dresdener Kameras]
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*(In German) [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/firmengeschichte/firmen/firmen.html#KW KW history] at [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/ Dresdner Kameras]
  
  
 
[[Category: German 6x6 SLR]]
 
[[Category: German 6x6 SLR]]
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[[Category: 1939]]
 
[[Category: P]]
 
[[Category: P]]
 
[[Category: Flickr image]]
 
[[Category: Flickr image]]
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[[Category: Super]]

Latest revision as of 06:29, 23 September 2021

3189571976_a4c96976d4.jpg
Pilot Super
image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)

The Pilot Super is a medium format SLR camera made by KW in Dresden, Germany, from c.1939-1941[1], during the period that the company was owned by Charles Noble. It takes twelve 6×6cm exposures on 120 film, and can be converted to take sixteen 4.5×6 frames with an extra mask. It is a later version of the Pilot 6, using a similar chassis. Some early Pilot Supers have Pilot 6 nameplates.[2]

The body is roughly cubic, with a bulge on the top rear edge accommodating the film take-up spool. There is a folding viewfinder hood on top, with a built-in sports finder and a loupe. The film advance knob, shutter speed control and shutter-release are all on the right-hand side. Some examples are fitted with an extinction light meter on the viewing hood; there is then a table by which to interpret the meter reading, together with the depth-of-field table.

The shutter is a guillotine mechanism, very similar to that on the Exa. It has four speeds, 1/20-1/200 + B. It is manually cocked by winding the speed control knob. The camera has a basic double-exposure prevention interlock, and a button to override it (above the shutter speed control). It has a socket for a cable release. There is no delayed action.

The lens is interchangeable, with a 31 or 32 mm thread[3]. Available standard lenses included:

  • Enna Ennatar 1:4.5 or 1:3.5, F=7.5 cm
  • KW Anastigmat 1:2.9, 1:3.5 or 1:4.5, F=7.5 cm
  • Laack Pololyt 1:3.5 F=8 cm
  • Ludwig Pilotar 1:2.9 F=7.5 cm


All of these are simple, uncoated triplet lenses. It is possible, given the years of production, that Wartime supply restrictions prevented a higher-specification lens being offered. Focusing is by screwing the front element in and out (and must be so, since the camera's body is rigid). In both of the examples pictured, the focus scale is in feet: as shown in the advertisement, the Pilot Super was exported to the USA. Germany and the UK were at war throughout the period that the camera was made.

The advertisement below right mentions a long-focus lens. This is rare; the only example known is a 10.5 cm f/4.5 KW Anastigmat.[4]

The focusing screen does not have a fresnel screen, and is rather dark, especially since the aperture control is manual (so final framing of hand-held photographs must be done after stopping down). The loupe is mounted in a plate which completely covers the focus hood when erected, which helps somewhat.


5533465431_0db96f3355.jpg
Advertisement from Popular
Photography, June 1940 (Image rights)
3188727821_f054af5498_m.jpg
Pilot Super with open
finder hood
image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)
4436129521_20656419d8_m.jpg 4436129523_8b24e8f51e_m.jpg 4436129527_70249c45a1_m_d.jpg



Back: red windows' cover. Top view: VF hood with loupe and extinction meter. Side: shutter controls.
images by Dustin McAmera (Image rights)


Notes

  1. ↑ McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p585.
  2. ↑ Listing for the Pilot 6 at the Collectiblend price guide site.
  3. ↑ Measured as 31 mm on the example available, with a f/3.5 Ennatar. However, other owners report a 32 mm thread: e.g. here; KW Pilot Super meets the youth of the 21st century at Photo.net, and it is worth noting that the thread mount for the Ennatar is in a black ring screwed onto the body, and clearly visible behind the lens; this is absent in the example with a KW Anastigmat, pictured here, so it is quite possible that the mounts are different.
  4. ↑ Post on photo.net showing the only example known of the long-focus lens.

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Pilot_Super&oldid=209266"